Kids Book

On a cold winter morning in 1952, Patsy Lamondin wakes to the day electricity will finally be connected to her small town along the Magnetawan River.

Patsy and her siblings buzz with excitement, eagerly awaiting the ceremony being held at the center of town. The Lamondins have lived along the waters of Georgian Bay and the Magnetawan River for generations. They are a Métis family who love music, dancing and being outdoors, and Patsy ponders how electricity will change all of their daily lives. What she knows for sure is that, whatever changes, she will always feel she belongs here.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: M
Lexile measure: 660L
Guided Reading Level: M

Recommended in the Indigenous Books for Schools catalogue as a valuable resource for English Language Arts and Science in grades 1 to 3.

Themes: Childhood, Community, Family, History, Technology, Engineering.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.75" x 10.75" | Hardcover 

The inspiring true story of how Indigenous activist Michael Redhead Champagne found his voice to create change in his community.

Michael might be young, but he’s got a big heart and a strong sense of right and wrong. He knows it’s right to help people when they need it—but what can he do when so many people need help?

When Michael finds out about an upcoming youth conference, he sees his chance. But when he gets to the conference, he’s the youngest person there! And the speaker on stage is saying things about his community that aren’t true. Will Michael be brave enough to use his voice to stand up for what he knows is right?

Little By Little is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel about how one person can spark change and inspire others.

Awards

• 2025 Forest of Reading

Reviews
“A gentle, uplifting, and inspiring story about a gentle, uplifting, and inspiring person. In this little book, Michael teaches us and our future generations that anyone can be a change-maker by using their voice.” — Rosanna Deerchild, poet and CBC Radio host

"Here’s a touching story about Michael Redhead Champagne that will inspire children to help others, even in the simplest of ways." - Debra H., Elementary School Teacher, Indigenous Books for Schools

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Fountas & Pinnell T
Lexile Framework for Reading HL560L

Recommended in the Indigenous Books for Schools catalogue as being useful for grades 4 to 6 for Career Education, English Language Arts, and Social Studies.

Themes: Community, Diversity and Inclusion, Relationships, Respect, and Social Justice 

Additional Information
56 pages | 6.50" x 10.00" | Paperback

In this funny yet moving coming-of-age novel, a girl finds comfort, and eventually her voice, by writing letters to The Doctor from her favorite TV show, Doctor Who.

Lo and Jazz have been best friends ever since Jazz defended her when Bobby Zucker called her a horse face in second grade. But lately Jazz has seemed more interested in bikinis, boys and bras (ugh), and Lo is still perfectly happy with her comic books and Doctor Who. When Jazz ditches Lo for the It Girls, Lo feels completely adrift...until she overhears someone talking about the latest FanCon. There are others like her!

With help from her new friends, and taking a cue from the Doctor (in whom she confides by writing letters), Lo begins to find her voice. Between giving Bobby Zucker a wedgie for harassing the It Girls, to bringing an abrupt end to spin-the-bottle at a party, to speaking up to the principal and demanding period supplies in student bathrooms, Lo finds her inner activist and the self-confidence that comes with growing up—on her own terms.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Themes / Subjects: Friendship stories; Self-awareness and self-esteem; Coming of age; Activism.

Additional Information
216 pages | 5.00" x 7.50" | Paperback

A Native American boy's cat surprises him at his first powwow—making for a very special dance indeed!

Loaf the cat loves to play with her boy, and when she’s particularly happy, she’ll make the purr sound for him. She also likes to keep tabs on him, so when he disappears one day, she decides to find him. She follows his smell to a place where there are drums and colors and lots of people—and then she’s excited to see her boy dancing fast, making the ribbons on his regalia twirl beautifully! When he takes a break, Loaf goes to greet him in her special way, making the powwow one her boy will never forget, and worthy of many purrs!

Reviews
“Loaf, a feline protagonist, follows her Ojibwe-cued caretaker, Charlie, to a powwow in this simply told picture book. Fond of rubber bands, paper bags, and ribbon, Loaf takes note when ‘my boy started putting all these ribbons on his clothes.’ . . . In an animated picture book debut, Anishinaabe author DeShaw walks readers through the powwow’s Grand Entry, told through the perspective of Loaf the cat. . . . Audibert (the Jo Jo Makoons series), of Wolastoqiyik and French heritage, aptly capture the energy of a cat at play and a boy taking part in the powwow—and the two displaying affection for each other.” —Publishers Weekly

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.44" x 10.25" | Hardcover 

Iskwew Pithasew nitisithikason. My name is Lady of the Thunderbird, and this is my story.

It takes courage and bravery to survive in the barrens.

In 1944, thirteen-year-old Ilse Schweder got lost in a snowstorm while checking her family's trapline in northern Canada. This is the harrowing story of how a young Indigenous girl defies the odds and endures nine days alone in the unforgiving barrens. Ilse faces many challenges, including freezing temperatures, wild animals, snow blindness and frostbite. With no food or supplies, she relies on Traditional Indigenous Knowledge passed down from her family. Ilse uses her connection to the land and animals, wilderness skills and resilience to find her way home.

This powerful tale of survival is written by Ilse Schweder's granddaughter.

Reviews
“Colorful illustrations in classic comic-book style help readers explore the challenging landscape. An excellent choice for a book report and good addition to a children’s nonfiction collection.”- School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: T 

Lexile measure: GN700L 

Guided Reading Level: T

Additional Information
96 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

Un plan de lecon de l'enseignant pour approfondir le livre, Ma petite Ogichidaa. Peut inclure des questions de compréhension, des activités de groupe, des amorces de conversation, des quiz, des activités d’arts du langage et des pages à colorier. L’histoire Ma petite Ogichidaa est inspirée par la maternité autochtone. Elle nous invite à découvrir les rêves et les espoirs fascinants d’une mère autochtone pour sa petite guerrière qui naîtra bientôt. Le mot Ogichidaa signifie guerrier/guerrière en anishinaabemowin et ce livre magnifiquement illustré rend hommage à toutes les familles autochtones qui élèvent fièrement leurs enfants pour qu’ils perpétuent leur culture, leur langue et leur amour avec résilience, force et gentillesse. Cette histoire réconfortante et inspirante célèbre l’amour autochtone et le puissant héritage qu’il crée.

Educator Information
Recommended for use with ages 7 to 10.

Find the student resource here: Ma petite Ogichidaa: une berceuse autochtone

This lesson plan is available in English: My Little Ogichidaa Teacher Lesson Plan

Additional Information
15 pages | 6.31" x 5.93" | Paper Packet

L’histoire Ma petite Ogichidaa est inspirée par la maternité autochtone. Elle nous invite à découvrir les rêves et les espoirs fascinants d’une mère autochtone pour sa petite guerrière qui naîtra bientôt. Le mot Ogichidaa signifie guerrier/guerrière en anishinaabemowin et ce livre magnifiquement illustré rend hommage à toutes les familles autochtones qui élèvent fièrement leurs enfants pour qu’ils perpétuent leur culture, leur langue et leur amour avec résilience, force et gentillesse. Cette histoire réconfortante et inspirante célèbre l’amour autochtone et le puissant héritage qu’il crée.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

This book is available in English: My Little Ogichidaa: An Indigenous Lullaby

Find a lesson plan for this book here: Ma petite Ogichidaa Plan de cours

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.43" x 11.22" | Hardcover 

Learn all about the process of making rope from bearded seal skin! Rope is a very useful tool and is used by Inuit for many things. From removing the blubber to hanging the rope to dry, this introductory guide takes readers through a step-by-step process for making rope from bearded seal skin.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Making Rope Out of Bearded Sealskin gives simple, step-by-step instructions on how to make rope out of bearded sealskin and describes other things Inuit make out of sealskin.

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.00" x 10.00" | Paperback

Help your child power up their reading skills and learn all about the amazing life of Matoaka, better known today as Pocahontas, with this fun-filled nonfiction reader carefully leveled to help children progress.

This book tells readers the true story of this iconic American’s young life among the Pamunkey and later in Europe with her English husband. It is a motivating introduction to using essential nonfiction reading skills, proving ideal for children ready to enter the riveting world of reading.

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 2 and 3 (ages 7 to 9).

This book is a Level 2 DK Super Reader. These books take children on a journey through the wonderful world of nonfiction: traveling back to the time of dinosaurs, learning more about animals, exploring natural wonders and more, all while developing vital nonfiction reading skills and progressing from first words to reading confidently.

These books can help children practice reading by:

- Covering engaging, motivating, curriculum-aligned topics.
- Building knowledge while progressing Grades 2 and 3 reading skills.
- Developing subject vocabulary on topics such as the events and achievements in the life of Matoaka.
- Boosting understanding and retention through comprehension quizzes.

Each title, which has been leveled using MetaMetrics®: The Lexile Framework for Reading, integrates science, geography, history, and nature topics so there’s something for all children’s interests. The books and online content perfectly supplement core literacy programs and are mapped to the Common Core Standards. Children will love powering up their nonfiction reading skills and becoming reading heroes.

Additional Information
32 pages | 5.94" x 9.00" | Paperback 

An engaging rhyming book with adorable mushroom characters and layered die cuts to peek through!

Meet the mushrooms who peek through the die cuts on each page of this layered board book. Join them in the forest for a busy day of dancing, playing, and exploring—the more mushrooms, the merrier! With a gentle, rhyming text and adorable illustrations, this book is perfect for young mushroom enthusiasts.

Reviews
"A group of mushrooms enjoy playing together. Layered, shaped pages transform the setting as the mushrooms move from one part of the book to the other. ­VERDICT The design and the charming faces on the mushrooms will draw children into the pages." --School Library Journal

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 2 to 5.

Keywords / Themes: Science & Nature, Mushrooms, Trees & Forests, Stories in Verse

Additional Information
12 pages | 7.75" x 7.75" | Board Book

A decodable book featuring four phonics stories for striving readers, with special features to help children with dyslexia or other language-based learning difficulties find reading success.

Meg and Greg are back to school and ready for fall fun! Join Meg, Greg and friends as they plan an event for dogs at the fall fair, solve challenging clues in a scavenger hunt, complete their planned science-fair project and look after excitable kindergarteners at the pumpkin patch.

Meg and Greg: A Handful of Dogs is the fifth book in the Meg and Greg series designed for shared reading between a child learning to read and an experienced reader. The four stories inside introduce different types of suffixes and prefixes (consonant suffixes -ful -ly -ment -s, vowel suffixes -en -er -es -est -ing -y, the suffix -ed and prefixes de- dis- ex- in- pre- re- un-) and the spelling rules for adding them to base words. In addition to the familiar comic-style kids’ pages, Book 5 features new highly controlled and decodable prose pages to gently increase the amount of text that readers experience and to provide even more opportunities to practice the reading skills previously introduced in Meg and Greg Books 1–4!

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

This book includes features to accommodate struggling or dyslexic readers, such as comic-book-style illustrations, a dyslexia-friendly typeface with ample spacing and shaded paper to reduce contrast between text and paper—all of which make this series more accessible.

Targeted at struggling readers ages six to nine has a wide appeal to ELL readers, reluctant readers and at-level readers alike with its engaging and age-appropriate plots and low reading level that doesn’t demoralize or stigmatize struggling readers.

This is the fifth book in the Orca Two Read series, designed for shared reading between a child learning to or struggling to read and an experienced reader.  All of the stories have special features to help a child with dyslexia or another language-based learning difficulty find reading success.

Additional Information
160 pages | 5.87" x 8.25" | Paperback

Whether or not you're Métis, there's so much to experience and learn about this amazing Indigenous culture — take a picture book journey into Métis crafts, music and cooking with friends who love to share.

Are you Métis like me? A group of children of Métis descent share and explore all the ways they celebrate and experience their heritage — enjoying traditional foods like bannock bread and Saskatoon berries; crafting with beads; sharing stories, dance, music and songs. Each child shares a different way they enjoy honoring their backgrounds and weaving parts of the rich tapestry that makes up Métis culture. One child, though, has grown up disconnected from their history, and can't join in with the others in the same way. But they soon see it's never too late to learn, celebrate or become a part of a community in which Métis and non-Métis alike can discover the richness of an often-overlooked culture.

This rhythmic, jubilant book will encourage young readers of all backgrounds to celebrate their own heritage and learn more about Métis history, and contains back matter including an author's note, recipe and dictionary to further inspire.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

This book is available in French: Nous sommes Métis.

Additional Information
40 pages | 9.43" x 9.31" | Hardcover

The Metis peoples have a rich and expansive history here in Canada and beyond. Learn more about their hertiage, teachings, traditions which have traveled generations and generations.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Indigenous Nations in North America series.

Additional Information
32 Pages | Paperback

The Mi'kmaq have many practices in their culture which make them unique. Discover more about the people and nation through Mi'kmaq author Corinne Chappell.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Indigenous Nations in North America series.

Additional Information
32 Pages | Paperback

This board book presents the months of the Mi’kmaw lunar calendar to very young children and their parents. Mi’kmaw artist Loretta Gould’s art illustrates each of the 12 Mi’kmaw moons through the changing seasons in Mi’kma’ki. Each month is named after events in the natural world – from Snow Blinding Time through Frogs Croaking Time and Berry Ripening Time. Each month’s illustration is accompanied by its name in Mi’kmaw and English.

Loretta Gould’s art, first published in Mi’kmaw Moons: A First Lunar Calendar has won high praise from reviewers, and the book has received numerous awards.

Educator Information
For ages 2 to 5.

Includes names of the months in English and Mi'kmaw.

This is the board book version of Mi'kmaw Moons: The Seasons in Mi'kma'ki.

Additional Information
6.53" x 6.53" | Board Book